| cardingtr |
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It's THE best I've seen. Thanks for posting. Added to my fav list for future reference. We're replacing our second car in Sept or October so that is looking good.
Imagine if you put wireless networking on it? The possibilities are endless. While its in the garage,(now you can call your garage a docking station:2: you can update your files(MP3, email, manuals, calendars, etc) and for long trips you can update the maps to include construction areas.
Can't wait.
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| MK23666 |
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That was incredible. I too have placed it in my Favorites List for future reference. But by the time I can get one it will most likely already be a factory option in cars by then. :rolleyes:
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| donsev |
That looks suspiciously like an ARM G1 - a model that I had been considering for a little while before the tablet PC (no, no pictures yet). It should just fit under the ashtray/12v outlet at the bottom of the dash/console. I can't tell if they have integrated any battery/capacitor function - a real pain since any 12v power blips would reboot the unit. Also don't think they have a hibernate mode that would allow you to do a quick shut down to disk. You will have to wait for the Win9x/Win2k shut down before turning off the car (unless you bypass the acc. circuit and tap into an always powered line - but then you *really* have to make sure you always shut down the unit before you leave the car or else face a dead battery.
Don't get me wrong, these units appear to be a great option, it is just frustrating when they are so close to being "just right" with just a few more design tweaks.
If the above link doesn't work, try http://www.armcomputer.com/
and select G1 or the replacement for it, the Smol.
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| Mocking-DX |
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`Here's my idea
Buy a VGA monitor from gnetcanada and hook it up to my old cheap laptop's (with DVD player) monitor out. Hook up my De lorme GPS navigation antenna to it and add a mouse and a wireless keyboard and Voila instant GPS navi. Then hide the laptop under the seat. Only problem is booting the laptop each time is a hassle. Plus hassle of placing the VGA monitor in the dash.
Just an idea if i ever get a next car without navi.
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| AcuraMDX2002 |
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That looks like a pretty nice solution for those who want or need to leave the computer in the car. I like the laptop solution myself. I have my Garmin eTrax Vista connected to my Apple iBook running Delorme Street Atlas 6.0. It could be hooked up to an in-dash monitor, but I don't have one! When I'm not using the laptop it can be put to sleep without turning it off. So far I'm quite pleased.
As for the idea mentioned above about wireless networking -- don't you think you'd have to leave the in-car computer turned on for that? Nice futuristic try!
One thing I'd like to have is wireless internet access -- anyone have it and NOT get charged a billion dollars to use it? I'd like to hear about the options. We spend so much time in our cars these days that it's hard to be without internet access except in the office or at home -- it's the same situation as we had before cell phones.
Finally, I know there's lots of ideas for LCDs, but what's the best solution for a 'no mods to the car' installation of a screen? I'm thinking of an in-dash unit that replaces the factory head unit -- anyone get one of these? Of course, for cars without nav, the cleanest solution would be to be able to use the trip computer screen, but I know that doesn't work. I wish someone would come up with a cool solution for that. I suppose I could do without the trip computer and replace the dedicated screen with a nice LCD monitor if I could find one that fits into the space without modification to the dash.
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| MDXtrous |
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I think Wi-Fi could be the solution to allow "free" access in the future. Some local governments are already providing access points, so I believe all you need is an Wi-Fi PCMCIA card in your car, and when you drive by these points you can access the internet for free. I think it's called "war"ing or something like that.
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| cardingtr |
quote:
Originally posted by AcuraMDX2002
As for the idea mentioned above about wireless networking -- don't you think you'd have to leave the in-car computer turned on for that? Nice futuristic try!
Nope don't have to. I have Home networking right now and my laptop is not all all the time. My desktop is on all the time and I have DSL so in a car's scenario, turn on your laptop (as long as its within 300ft in my case) and start your networking front there. If I can do it in my patio, why not in the garage right?:4:
If you have fast access already, it will cost you $150. 802.11's are more expensive.
And if your in terms with your neighbor? Pssst, just a secret, plug him with your networking and split the bill for DSL.
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| cardingtr |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
I think Wi-Fi could be the solution to allow "free" access in the future. Some local governments are already providing access points, so I believe all you need is an Wi-Fi PCMCIA card in your car, and when you drive by these points you can access the internet for free. I think it's called "war"ing or something like that.
Warchalking. Popular in Europe. People leave chalk marks on curbs, posts, walls on places theres wireless access.
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| AcuraMDX2002 |
quote:
Originally posted by cardingtr
Nope don't have to. I have Home networking right now and my laptop is not all all the time. My desktop is on all the time and I have DSL so in a car's scenario, turn on your laptop (as long as its within 300ft in my case) and start your networking front there. If I can do it in my patio, why not in the garage right?:4:
If you have fast access already, it will cost you $150. 802.11's are more expensive.
And if your in terms with your neighbor? Pssst, just a secret, plug him with your networking and split the bill for DSL.
:17: I re-read your other post - I thought you meant to use the car's computer as the base station and the inside computer to access it (I had it backwards). I also have my home networked wirelessly, and never thought about being able to update the car's computer (if I had one) with it still in the garage - of course it would work (as would the dsl sharing with the neighbor if you live that close to the bum!)
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| srpbep |
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AcuraMDX2002 - Some of us live in So. California. Here we can connect a whole neighborhood using 802.11 if we want to:
Either the range is quite adequate.
-or-
We are too close together.
Anybody wanna guess? Heck, I am taking donations. When I collect a couple of million, I'll be able to afford a home where only my immediate neighbors will be in range of the 802.11 signal.
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| srpbep |
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Heck I see a couple of options here:
** Most new systems incorporate a sleep mode that reduces current draw quite a bit. Properly designed, this in-car computer can shut down damn near everything [hard drive, monitor, wireless, ....] so maybe current draw wouldn't be an issue when parked.
** The computer can be wired to both "always hot" and "switched hot". When it senses that the 12V on the switched hot goes to 0V, it can automatically initiate a shut down sequence [obtaining power for the shutdown from the always hot 12v]. In a way, no different that a UPS with powerfail connection. Taking this a step further, the system can be designed to auto restart when it senses that the switched 12v goes hot again.
** Thank the heavons that they aren't using WinNT. You'd get to your destination before the friggin computer finished the boot sequence.
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| AcuraMDX2002 |
quote:
Originally posted by srpbep
AcuraMDX2002 - Some of us live in So. California. Here we can connect a whole neighborhood using 802.11 if we want to:
Either the range is quite adequate.
-or-
We are too close together.
Anybody wanna guess? Heck, I am taking donations. When I collect a couple of million, I'll be able to afford a home where only my immediate neighbors will be in range of the 802.11 signal.
I'd guess, hmmm, both! We 'live one top of each other' here in South Florida, too -- no offense was intended. That's my donaton ($0.02).
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| srpbep |
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AcuraMDX2002 ...
No offense was taken REALLY. At work we find that 802.11 range is too limited. As a fact of life, I can't afford a So. Ca. house on a LOT that is big enough to "keep the signal on my property".
And thanks a lot for the donation [well pledge 'cause I haven't seen the cash yet!!]. Anyway, now I only need $1,999,999.98 more. Let's see, if I can get every MDX owner to match your pledge, then I'll be able to get a decent sized lot when Acura has sold 100,000,000 MDXs. Can anyone help me with the rest of the math 'cause I think this may be quite some time into the future. :eek:
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| Sandman |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
I think Wi-Fi could be the solution to allow "free" access in the future. Some local governments are already providing access points, so I believe all you need is an Wi-Fi PCMCIA card in your car, and when you drive by these points you can access the internet for free. I think it's called "war"ing or something like that.
Checkout www.Netstumbler.com they have all the tools and locations of public/private WiFi connections around the US. Even with GPS readings and maps for those with NAV or portable GPS.
Some people have even built Yagi antenae to boost their signal reception.
:D
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